Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EST on Friday night at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota. According to 5Dimes Sportsbook, the Bison are a 7.5 point betting favorite and the total for the game is listed at 135. Nobody wants to lose a rivalry game such as this. Will the Hawks be up for the task at home in front of their supportive fan base? Let's review the NCAA Basketball odds for this game.

Sharing Means Caring?
Not in the Bison's case as this is a team with that averages a mere 11 assists per ball game. Usually when you have a team of players that like to take matters into their own hands, they can shoot the rock efficiently and that's not the case for North Dakota State as they shoot 42% from the field as a team collectively. On the bright side, they have great depth along with star Paul Miller and this isn't a team that's going to turn the ball over too often.

Kory Brown's Presence
The Bison aren't a star-studded team, but the depth on the bench enables the hot shooter to get the extra playing time and also keeps their players on the court fresh at all times.

With senior guard, Kory Brown, back in the lineup after a brief absence, this is a major positive for the Bison as Brown can score and provide some much needed rebounding. He's averaging 9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. It's essential that Brown and Dexter Werner (8.1 points, 6.1 rebounds) protect the boards and prevent the Fighting Hawks from getting any 2nd opportunities. Rebounding has been a weakeness for North Dakota State.

Paul Miller
At just 6 foot 4, leading scorer Paul Miller can also contribute in the rebounding department, but North Dakota State desperately needs his offense. He's averaging 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. The sophomore can play both ends of the court and has been consistent each game, scoring in double figures and being able to hit from beyond the arc.

Although he hits a respectable 47.1% of his shots from the field, I consider him a volume shooter and in order to win games, most teams need that type of player. Look for Miller to play well here as he should be able to get open shots against the Fighting Hawks.

Rough Time With Bradley?
After a 3 game losing streak, North Dakota has been able to roll off 2 consecutive wins. That said, beating a 1-8 Bradley team in double overtime is certainly nothing to brag about. The old saying is a win is a win and the Fighting Hawks will take it.

This is a team that's a better rebounding club than the Bison, but they're inefficient when it comes to knocking down their shots and that could be a problem in this game.

Quinton Hooker
He got 45 minutes in his last game and leading scorer, Quinton Hooker, will get all of the play that he wants as there's no reliable source of offense on this team except for Hooker.

For the season, he's averaging 16.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Hooker is a player that does share the basketball, but he hasn't been able to knock down his shots as he's shooting below 40% from the field. Simply stated, there's nobody better on the team and Hooker is a multi-faceted player; a definite asset for North Dakota.

There's no contemplating where this game is concerned. North Dakota could barely beat a 1-8 team and that's enough for me. Make the North Dakota State Bison your NCAA Basketball pick.